Bednarik said he was thrilled to be honored and recognized by the young people of Liberty High School.

"This is my hometown. I love it," he said.

Liberty High Principal Harrison Bailey said the school was honored to pay tribute to Bednarik, who after graduating from Liberty served in World War II and went on to football greatness at the University of Pennsylvania and then the NFL.

"We want to put as many people in front of our kids as possible that demonstrate to them that, 'You can do that,'" Bailey said. "People that can show them that hard work and perseverance mean something."